Please Note: The NMC farm tour has limited enrollment. Registration is based on a first come, first served basis. The registration deadline is August 31. Be aware that the tour may fill up before the deadline, so early registration is recommended. The farm tour is held concurrently with the short courses. There will not be on-site registration for the farm tour unless there is space available after the deadline. If you don't pre-register, you need to check with the NMC office to find out if space is available.

Robotic Milking System and Pasture-Based Dairy Center at the Michigan State University W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, Michigan

Date and time: Wednesday, September 8, 11:30 am - 5:00 pm
Tour size limit: 40 people.
Fee: $50 (includes lunch and transportation to and from the farm)

The Kellogg Farm at the Michigan State University Kellogg Biological Station transitioned from a confinement dairy with 3X milking to a pasture-based dairy with automatic milking (robotic milking) in the summer of 2009 (see Michigan State University YouTube video below). In July, the herd of 100 lactating Holstein cows was moved from the old dairy facility to the new pasture dairy barn. Cows were first trained to use the robotic milking system before being introduced to the pasture later in the summer. Cows will have access to the pasture for approximately a six month grazing period each year and will be confined to the dairy barn for the remainder of the year.

Tour participants will have an opportunity to see the robotic milking system in operation and learn about management of the dairy and our experience as we transitioned to the new dairy system. Drs. Janice Siegford and Santiago Utsumi, Michigan State University Department of Animal Science, will report on changes in animal behavior and health as well as changes in milk quantity and quality during this transition. Drs. Siegford and Utsumi will also discuss future research involving robotic milking systems and pasture-based dairy management.

[Note: If the YouTube video about the MSU Kellogg Farm robotic milker does not appear below (due to the security settings on your computer), CLICK HERE to view the video on the YouTube website.]